Embryonic stem cell research

Caption : Microscope Photographer : Esther Simpson

What are embryonic stem cells?

Embryonic stem cell research is a pretty new area of medical and health research. It was made possible in 1998 when a scientist came up with a way to isolate and grow embryonic stem cells.

Ok, so now you may be thinking—what are stem cells? Well here goes:

• Stem cells are cells with the potential to form many other cell types in the body.
• They can be used to repair the body because they can limitlessly divide themselves and replenish other cells.
• When stem cells divide, they can either remain a stem cell or develop into another type of cell with a specific function (muscle cells, brain cells, red blood cells etc).
• Stem cells that are grown in a lab are called cell lines.
• Cell lines can grow indefinitely, creating an excess of cells that can be frozen for later use or used in research.
• There are two kinds of stem cells: embryonic and adult.
• Leftover embryos from fertility clinics and abortion programs are the source for embryonic stem cells.
• Embryonic stem cells are extracted from an embryo at a very early stage, and are grown in a laboratory.

What are scientists trying to discover?

Scientists want to find out:

1. how cells remain stem cells (and not turn into other cells in our bodies right away)
2. how they renew themselves for such a long period of time
3. what causes them to become specialised.

With time and research, many scientists believe that stem cells can lead to cures for Parkinson's disease, diabetes, heart disease, some forms of cancer and Alzheimer's disease. They could also be used to test new drugs.

So, what's the debate?

The debate begins with the fact that when the stem cells are extracted from embryos, the embryos are destroyed. Many groups, such as the Catholic Church, are strongly opposed to this. The issue is further complicated because researchers need government funding to carry out their work. This in turn raises questions about the values of a state or country. So, as you can see, the debate is centred on the morality and ethics of this type of research, which is pretty controversial in today’s world.

Why do people think it should be done?

People who support embryonic stem cell research argue that:

• it will lead to cures for many diseases and conditions; it will save lives
• left-over embryos will either go to waste or just sit in a freezer if not used for research, so why not use them to help people?

Why do people think it shouldn't be done?

People who don’t support embryonic stem cell research argue that:

• the destruction of human embryos is an act of killing
• embryos deserve the opportunity to be born.

What are the alternatives?

Existing Cell Lines

There are currently around 78 embryonic cell lines in the world. So, you may wonder—why not just use those? The embryos are already destroyed and the stem cells removed so might as well, right?

Scientists have found that many of the existing embryonic cell lines are poor quality. They are diverse and not enough research has been done to know which one strand of cells is best, or if there is an even better strand to be discovered. In Australia, 70,000 extra embryos from fertility clinics are available. Not being able to use these severely limits the potential for embryonic stem cell research.

Adult Stem Cells

Adult stem cells are found in tissue masses and organs and can be extracted from the body without harm. Using adult stem cells also takes away the risk of the immune system mistaking the cells as a threat to the body (this can happen when embryonic stem cells are introduced). Another reason to use adult stem cells is that it solves the 'unethical embryonic stem cell' debate. So you may find yourself wondering again—why not just use these?

For one, many scientists believe adult stem cells are not as versatile as embryonic stem cells. Another major factor is that adult stem cells are quite difficult to obtain (especially the amount you need to have any effect). These cells are also more difficult to grow and may lose potency over time. A major factor is that even though using adult stem cells avoids the risk of the body rejecting the cells, if a disease is genetic, then the cells taken from the body may carry the disease, making the whole process useless. Scientists prefer embryonic stem cells because they are easier to isolate, there are more of them, they grow more easily and quickly in the lab, and they are more versatile.

So, what's Australia doing?

Australia, like many other countries, is divided over embryonic stem cell research. However, in December 2002, the Federal Parliament passed two acts—the Research Involving Human Embryos Act and the Prohibition of Cloning Act. The Research Involving Human Embryos Act says that it’s okay for research to be conducted on embryos which are left over from Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) centres, such as those that carry out in vitro fertilisation. The Prohibition of Cloning Act bans human cloning, including the creation of human embryos, except for the purpose of aiding a woman to get pregnant. So basically, embryos can’t be cloned just for stem cells. Many Australians disagree with this because it means research is limited to the pre-existing stem cell lines, stunting the growth of this science.

What are other countries doing?

• The UK allows human embryos to be cloned for stem cell research but only if a laboratory has a license. So far, two licenses have been distributed. Italy, France, Israel, Holland and Australia are also considering adopting this policy.
• The USA allows embryonic stem cell research under the conditions that:

1. the donor was not paid money for the donation
2. research is done on excess embryos from fertility clinics and other similar places
3. the donor was informed that their embryo may be used for stem cell research
4. the destruction of the embryo started before 9 August 2001.

• France allows left over embryos from fertility clinics to be used for stem cell extraction. Canada, Japan and Germany are considering this policy.
• Germany does not allow embryonic stem cells to be extracted from human embryos.

An end to the debate?

As of August 2006, scientists have discovered a way to conduct embryonic stem cell research without destroying the embryo. This method involves removing one cell from a cluster of eight, leaving the embryo perfectly healthy and capable of developing normally.

Many are heralding this as a landmark development that should effectively end the debate surrounding embryonic stem cell research, since life remains intact. Religious groups, however, most vocally the Catholic Church, remain opposed. As Bishop Richard Doerflinger said, “It is widely believed that one cell of a very early embryo may separate and become a new embryo, an identical twin.” Some proponents of stem cell research assert that this claim is dubious at best.

Ultimately, it seems this new discovery may cloud the issue of stem cell ethicality further, rather than clarify it. But one thing it will certainly do is turn the spotlight back to the topic.

How do I know this?

Associated Press 2006, 'Stem cells that won’t destroy embryo? Scientists develop new method, but rift over research remains', MSNBC, 24 August, http://msnbc.msn.com/id/14481692/

myDr.com.au from MIMS, http://www.mydr.com.au/

National Academy of Sciences, http://www4.nationalacademies.org

National Institute of Health Stem Cell Unit, http://stemcells.nih.gov/research/nihresearch/scunit/

Time Magazine Online, The stem cell debate, http://www.time.com/time/2001/stemcells/

Yaron, B 2006, 'Stem Cell Breakthrough Won’t Satisfy Religious Conservatives', The Ayn Rand Institute, 24 August, http://www.aynrand.org/site/News2?JServSessionIdr0...

Update completed by Trappleton October 2006